Marbury Boys’ Soccer wins Class 5A Area 5 Championship

Scott Nickerson

Elmore Autauga News

The Marbury Boys’ soccer team swept home and away matches against Demopolis and Booker T. Washington Magnet to claim the Class 5A Area 5 championship. The Bulldogs won road matches against Demopolis 5-0 and BTW Magnet 3-0, while claiming home victories 6-2 and 5-0.

“I’m happy to see our players achieve one of their preseason goals,” said Marbury Boys Soccer Coach Stephen Bruce. “They sacrificed a lot of time and energy for the program, and as a result, they outscored their area opponents 19-2 and wrapped up the area early. I’m very proud of them.”

The Bulldogs started the season 1-4-2 just seven games in but played stiff competition against larger schools such as Class 6A #4 St. Paul’s, as well as Wetumpka and Chilton County, that prepared them for the remainder of the regular season. But after that start, Marbury won 9 and tied 1 of their next 12 games. Their overall record currently sits at 10-6-3 according to MaxPreps.

“I think that persistence, or just flat-out stubbornness has been one of the keys to success for the team this year. Their schedule was front-loaded with 6A and highly ranked opponents, and as a result, they took some licks early, but instead of lying down, they showed up every day at practice determined to improve. We also have a nice mix of experience and young talent on the roster. We have four senior leaders who have played here together since they were freshmen: Alex Brown, Franklin Damron, Jeremiah Drake, and Roland Smith. They are bolstered by a large group of talented sophomores, including our two leading scorers: Emanuel Caceres and Ryan Lavender. This mixture of experience and youth has served us well, and it bodes well for the future of the team,” said Coach Bruce. 

The Bulldogs have nearly doubled their scoring since last season. Defensively, Marbury had to replace three starters from the back line, but Alex Brown and Joe Mercer stepped in and secured the defense.

Marbury has just three remaining games in the regular season before hosting the 1st round of the Class 5A playoffs.

“We want to win playoff games, of course, but my expectation is that we will play hard for every minute that we are given. Our seniors deserve that, and I know that our younger players will step up and support them,” said Coach Bruce.